Sam Rice

Book excerpt: In the history of sports, few comeback stories compare to that of Edgar Charles Rice better known as "Sam." Away from home, trying out for a low-level minor league team, Sam Rice received a telegram on an April morning that would turn his world upside down: his wife, mother, both of his children and two younger siblings had been killed by a tornado. A few days later, his father died from injuries suffered in the tornado, as well. By the time he reached the major leagues three years later with the Washington Senators, Rice apparently had buried his past deep inside. He never spoke of the tragedy publicly while embarking on a career in which he would amass 2,987 base hits, 13 hits short of one of baseball's most hallowed milestones. In this moving biography, Jeff Carroll explores the great achievement and tragedy of a Hall of Fame outfielder and Washington Senators favorite.